Zardari moves IHC to quash interim reference regarding Park Lane properties

ISLAMABAD: Former president Asif Ali Zardari on Monday filed a petition before the Islamabad High Court (IHC) to quash the interim reference regarding Park Lane properties.

The co-chairperson of the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) filed the petition through advocate Farooq H Naek, and cited the chairman National Accountability Bureau (NAB), judge Accountability Court (AC) Islamabad, and the Federation as respondents.

Zardari stated that he was aggrieved by and dissatisfied with the order of the Accountability Court dated 7-8-2020, whereby petitioner's application for quashment of the said interim reference and application for first deciding/determining jurisdiction of the Accountability Court in this matter, were dismissed by the AC Islamabad.

He told that an inquiry into some fake bank accounts of Karachi was initiated by the FIA in 2015.

The Supreme Court noticing delay in 2018 took suo moto notice, thereof, which resulted in Joint Investigation Team (JIT), and its recommendations culminating in order dated 07.01.2019 by the apex court directing the NAB to investigate, and if cognizable offence were found, file references accordingly.

He added that in paragraph 37 (v) of the Order dated 07-01-2019, the Supreme Court of Pakistan specifically directed the NAB to act strictly in accordance with the law, and after inquiry and investigation, in case and if cognizable offences are made out, the recommendation contained in paragraph 300 of the final synthesis report shall be acted upon, and the requisite reference shall be filed in the concerned Accountability Court.

Zardari's counsel pointed out that the NAB, in the garb of Order dated 07-01-2019 passed by the apex court, filed an interim reference No 13 of 2019, against the above-named petitioner and others, without following proper legal requirements, and without conducting inquiry and investigation as required under the law.

He informed that the said interim reference was with respect to loan of Rs1.5 billion taken by M/s Parthenon (Pvt) Limited from private banks by pledging valuable immovable property of M/s Parklane Estate (Pvt) Limited.

The counsel continued that the AC Islamabad vide two orders both dated 7-8-2020, dismissed the applications for first determination of jurisdiction of accountability court and quashament of the interim reference under Section 31-D of NAO 1999 read with Section 265-D CrPC as well as application for withdrawal of application for quashment of the interim reference.

He prayed before the court to quash the reference No 13 of 2019 being without jurisdiction, illegal, unlawful, null and void ab-initio.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2020